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"Effects of the Action." New information would include, but is not limited to, not <br />achieving a "positive response" or a significant decline in population, as described in <br />Appendix D of the Colorado River PBO. Significant decline shall mean a decline in <br />excess of normal variations in population (Appendix D). The current population estimate <br />of adult Colorado pikeminnow in the Colorado River is 600 individuals, with a <br />confidence interval off 250. Therefore, with the criteria established in Appendix D, a <br />negative population response would trigger reinitiation if the population declined to 350 <br />adults. The Recovery Program has developed recovery goals for the four endangered <br />fishes. If a population meets or exceeds the numeric goal for that species, it will be <br />considered to exhibit a positive response. The Service retains the authority to determine <br />whether a significant decline in population has occurred, but will consult with the <br />Recovery Program's Biology Committee prior to making its determination. In the event <br />of a significant population decline, the Service is to first rely on the Recovery Program to <br />take actions to correct the decline. If nonflow recovery actions have not been <br />implemented, the Service wi[I assess the impacts of not completing these actions prior to <br />reexamining any flow related issues. <br />New information would also include the lack of a positive population response by the <br />year 2015 or when new depletions reach 50,000 acre-feet/yeaz. According to the criteria <br />outlined in Appendix D of the Colorado River PBO, a positive response would require <br />the adult Colorado pikemianow population estimate to be 1,100 individuals (f250) in the <br />Colorado River {Rifle, Colorado to the confluence with the Green River). When the <br />population estimate increases above 1,100, a new population baseline is established at the <br />. higher population level. <br />c. The Recovery Action Plan actions listed as part of the proposed action in the Colorado <br />River PBO are not implemented within the required time frames. This would be <br />considered a change in the action subject to.corisultation; section 7 regulations (50 CFR <br />402.16 (c)) state that reinitiation of consultation is required if the identified action is <br />subsequently modified in a manner that causes an effect to the listed species or critical <br />habitat that was not considered in the biological opinion. The Recovery Action Plan is an <br />adaptive management plan because additional information, changing priorities, and the <br />development of the States', entitlement may require. modification of the Recovery Action <br />~` Plan. Therefore, the Recovery Action Plan is reviewed anriually and updated and <br />changed when necessary and the required time frames include changes in timing <br />approved by means of the normal procedures of the Recovery Program, as explained in <br />the description of the proposed action. In 2003 and every 2 years thereafter, for the life <br />of the Recovery Program, the Service and Recovery Program will review implementation <br />of the Recovery Action Plan actions to determine timely compliance with applicable <br />schedules. <br />d. The Service lists new species or designates new or additional critical habitat, where the <br />level or pattern of depletions covered under the Colorado River PBO may have an <br />adverse impact on the newly listed species or habitat. If the species or habitat maybe <br />adversely affected by depletions, the Service will reinitiate consultation on the Colorado <br />• River PBO as requited by its section 7 regulations. The Service will first determine <br />whether the Recovery Program can avoid such impact or can be amended to avoid the <br />All-1-3 <br />